It’s finally May! The month where the sun begins to get into its groove and shine brightly, bringing smiles to all of our faces and to make sure you make the most of this wonderful May month we are giving you information on a brilliant event or festival thats taking place in your city. Enjoy!!!

 

Madrid – San Isidro (15th May)

San Isidro is the patron saint of Madrid and on the 15th of May one of the most celebrated days in Madrid takes place in his honour (A variety of other events take place in the city around this time so keep your eyes peeled for these too). On the day of the 15th you should head to Plaza Mayor where there is traditional dancing and an open air concert, also people called Madrileños who wear traditional (slightly funny) hats. Once you’ve taken in the festivities here move to Casa de Campo where there will be rock concerts throughout the day. During the San Isidro celebrations, the other attraction is of course bullfighting. The San Isidro bullfighting festival is Spain’s most important. This is where the best bullfighters and bulls can be seen at the Las Ventas bullring throughout May. Tickets are sometimes hard to obtain and are best purchased in advance.

 

Barcelona – Primavera Sound (20th – 29th May)

Get ready to rock as arguably the best music festival in Barcelona takes place at the end of May. The main events take place in Parc del Forum, a huge outside arena (perfect for the sunshine) in the Diagonal Mar barrio, although many smaller connected events are happening all around the city. Last year was Primavera Sounds 10th anniversary and saw over 100,000 attendees over the course of the week. This years headliners include The Flaming Lips, Belle & Sebastion and one of my favourite Brit-pop bands Pulp. Tickets are around 180€ for the full festival but seperate day tickets are available if you just want to head down and see your favourite band. For the full line-up and for more information check out the official Primavera Sound website .

 

Valencia – Mare de Deu dels Desamparats or Virgin of the Helpless (8th of May)

The Virgin of the Helpless (Mare de Deu dels Desamparats in Valencian) is dedicated to the patroness of Valencia, the Virgin Mary. On the second sunday of every May, the 8th of May this year, a beautiful festival takes place to honour her. For many the festivities will begin on saturday night with an open air concert on Placa de le Verge followed by singing, dancing and a fireworks display at the Turia Gardens. If on Sunday you are not suffering from a hangover and are a good morning person, you may want to attend the open air Mass at 5.00am. The days main event however, starts at 10.30am (a much more sensible time) when the ‘Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados’ makes her journey under a heavy shower of flower petals from the Basilica to the Cathedral (La Seu). At 2.00pm there is a mascletá (fireworks) and at 5.00pm the Virgin is again carried amid a blanket of flower petals through the Old Quarter of Valencia. If you enjoy traditional festivities then do not miss it!

 

Sevilla – Feria de Sevilla or the Festival of Seville (2nd to the 8th of May)

The Feria de Sevilla takes place in a huge area in Los Remedios, to the south-west of the city, around two weeks after Semana Santa every year. If you enjoy dancing, socialising and eating and especially drinking, then this is the festival for you! The opening day of the Feria de Sevilla is an especially big event with parades around the fairground in carriages or on horseback. The size of the festival is a spectacle in itself and most days the party continues to early morning with tents or ‘casetas’ serving alcohol and tapas until the early hours. Most tents are private, however you will find seven public tents, one for every district of Sevilla and the ‘caseta municipal’. Sevillanas is the traditional folk music in Seville and played widely at the feria so it may be worth taking a few classes so you can boogie with the locals. There are also daily bullfights, the best of the season and if you really want to experience the Feria de Sevilla like a local you can dress up in traditional wear and impress in your best flamenco dress or if your male, try the “traje corto”.

 

I hope everybody has a wonderful month of May and enjoys these and many other events and festivals that are to take place in these amazing Spanish cities!